Noise Is Among the Leading Causes of Premature Death

According to the European Environment Agency's 2025 report, the leading environmental factors causing premature deaths are, in order, fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5), unfavorable temperature conditions, and environmental noise. Transportation noise in particular is no longer considered merely an annoying environmental problem but a serious cardiovascular disease risk factor associated with hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and heart failure.

According to the report, at least 112 million people in Europe are exposed to transportation noise above recommended limits. Nighttime noise stands out as the most harmful form. Aircraft and train noise disrupts sleep continuity, increasing activation of the sympathetic nervous system and raising cortisol, adrenaline, and inflammatory markers. This process accelerates endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and vascular aging.

In 2021, chronic noise exposure in Europe was reported to be associated with about 66,000 premature deaths, 50,000 new cases of cardiovascular disease, and 22,000 cases of diabetes. In addition, an increased risk of learning disorders, behavioral problems, and obesity was found in children.

In conclusion, environmental noise has become one of the invisible cardiovascular risks of modern life.

Source

Münzel, T., Peris, E., & Sørensen, M. (2026). From noise to heart disease: European Environment Agency sounds the alarm for Europe 2025. European Heart Journal, 47(2), 1279–1281. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf1072